Speed responsive coupling



April 17, 1951 W, J, SPENGLER 2,549,750

SPEED RESPONSIVE COUPLING Filed March 27, 1945 Patented Apr. 17, 1951 SPEED RESPONSIVE, COUPLINGy Walter J Spengler,x Sidney, Y. assignor toI Bendix Aviation Corporation, New York N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application MarcliZl, 1945,.Seriat No. 585,128

(Clt 64"--25l 11 Claims;

rI-his invention relates to couplings,y and' more. particularly to means for connecting two rotating members, such as parts oi" an internalv combustion engine ignition system, so that angular adjustments of said parts may be automatically effected. during rotation thereof, whereby the Iiringtime of the spark producing means in the engine cylinders may be automatically varied.

One of the objects ofthe present invention is to provide novel. apparatus for mechanically coupling two rotating. members to each otherV while permitting of angular adjustment of one of'said members relative to the other.

Another object of' the invention is to provide a novel automatic variable. coupling for rotating parts which functions in accordance with the speed of rotation of sai'dparts. Y

A further object is to provide novel means for automatically effecting adjustments in the timing ofthe ignition` system of an internal combustion engine.

Still another objectl is to provide novel coupling means of the above character whereby two rotating parts may be automatically angularly adjusted in one direction relative to each other at two different speeds of rotation, and' in the other direction at a third speed of rotation.

A still further object is to provide a novel, centrifugally responsive device for effecting an automatic variable connection between two rotatable parts.

Another object is to provide novel means adapted for use in the ignition system of an internal' combustion engine for effecting spark advance at one engine speed, and a retardation of the spark at engine speeds above andv below said rst speed.

Another object is toY provide a novel ignition Aapparatus for an internal combustion engine whereby the sparks in the cylinders of the engine may be both advanced and retarded relative to the position of the pistons in said cylinders by a single, centrifugally actuated unit for coupling two rotating parts which are adapted for relative angular movement.

Another object is to provide coupling means of' the above character which also functions to some extent as a flexible coupling to avoid dam,- age which mightv otherwise be occasioned by sudden shocks and quick changes of speed.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detail description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood,

however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention, reference for' this latter purpose being had primarily to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several Views;

tively, of the coupling unit; and

Fig. 7 is a detailv side elevation off the driving, member ofthe coupling unit.

1Referring to the drawings, the present invenf. tion is herein illustrated, by way of example, in the form of a coupling unit adapted fory use in the ignition system of an, internal combustion engine. As shown, the novel' coupling unit of the invention is associated with a magneto for the, purpose of automatically varying the timing of the sparks in an ignition system relative tok the, positions of the pistons in the engine in which the sparks occur. The coupling unit isy employed for connecting a rotating part of an engine (not shown)A to the rotor shaft II! in a magneto II which may be of any suitable design well known in the art. In a manner also well' understood by those skilled' in the art, the rotor of the magneto, is drivably connected with a circuit breaker (not: shown),- which is synchronized with the rotor and. determines the time of occurrence ofthe sparks in the engine cylinders. In a. structure of this character whereinV the timing cam is driven by or in timed relation with the magneto rotor, the coupling unit of the present invention is preferably located so that the rotor and the cam are affected alike by adjustments made by said unit, thereby insuring the openingk of the primary circuit of the magneto coil at the most advantageous; moment for efficient operation irrespective of the adjustments effected by the coupling unit.

As herein shown, the novel coupling means whereby shaft I0 is flexibly connected to an engine driven part for automatic', angular adjustment relative thereto, comprises two end members I2 and f3, and two intermediate force transmitting members I4 and I5. In a manner to be more fully described hereafter,` these members are novelly mounted about shaft I0, and novel cen-- trifugally responsive means, such asy links I6, IT and I8, are provided' for drivably connecting end member I2 to end member I3 through the intermediate members ItV and I5.

For purposes of description, end member I2 maybe considered as the driving member ofthe coupling unit since it is connected, although not necessarily, to the prime mover which, in the present instance, is a rotating part of an engine on which magneto II is mounted. As shown', driving member I2 is. in the form of a lever hav-- 3 ing an arm I9 which is offset to the right (Fig. 3) and extends in a radial direction from the axis of rotation of shaft I0. The hub 20 of member I2 is provided at one end thereof with external splines 2| adapted to engage an internally splined rotating part f the engine for imparting Lotation to driving member I2 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1.

`Thriving member I2 is loosely mounted on the sleeve or hub 22 of end member I3, and for this and other purposes said hub is formed with a reduced portion 23 receiving and providing a bearing surface fordriving member I2, and With a second reduced portion 24 adjacent portion 23 but of adiameter larger than the diameter of the latter. Hub portions 23, 24 provide shoulders or abutments 25 and 25 (Fig. 3), the shoulder 25 serving to hold driving member I2 against inward endwise displacement on hub 22, and to maintain said member in proper operating position.

End member I3, which may be conveniently referred to as the driving element of the coupling unit, is engaged over a smooth reduced portion 0f shaft I3, and is drivably connected to the latter by means of splines 2 (Fig. 4) within hub 22 that mesh with external splines 28 on said shaft (Fig. 3) Driven member i3 is in the form of a lever comprising the hub 22, and an arm 29 which is offset to the left (Fig. 3) and extends in a radial direction from the axis of rotation of shaft I in the same path of rotation as arm I9 of driving memberY I2.

The intermediate members I4 and i5 are arranged between the driving member I2 and the shoulder 25 on hub 22 of driven member I3, and are loosely mounted on the reduced hub portion 24 for free, angular movement relative to each other and to members I2 and I3. The ntermediate member I4, which may be referred to as the spark advancing lever of the coupling unit, is formed with a radially extending arm 30 that is slightly offset to the left (Fig. 3) to lie in the same path of rotation as arms I9 and 29 of the driving and driven members I2 and I3, respectively. The intermediate member I5, which may be referred to as the spark retarding lever of the coupling unit, is formed with a radially extending arm 3l that is slightly oiset to the right (Fig. 3) to lie in the same path of rotation as the arms I9, 29 and 3D of the members I2, I3 and I4, respectively.

The centrifugally responsive means I provided for operatively connecting members I 2 and I4 comprises a link which is preferably fabricated from two arcuate plates 32, 32, each having riveted thereto on the outside and adjacent one end thereof a weight 33 (Figs. 1 and 2). Plates 32, 32 straddle the arms I9 and 30 of members I2 and I4, respectively, and are pivotally connected with the free end of arm I9 by a shouldered pin 34 which is journalled in said arm and projects beyond opposite sides thereof through said plates and has threaded on its opposite ends plate retaining nuts 35. Pin 34 acts as spacing means for plates 32, 32 and prevents binding of said plates on arm I9 upon tightening of nuts 35.

. The opposite ends of plates 32, 32 which straddle arm 30 of member I4 are provided with suitable openings to receive the opposite ends of a shouldered pin 36 (Fig. 1) that extends through an elongated slot 37 in said arm and has journalled thereon an anti-friction roller 38. Pin 35 is identical in construction as pin 34 and has threaded on its opposite ends retaining nuts 39, said pin also serving as spacing means for plates 32, 32 and prevents binding of saidplates on arm30 upon tight- 4 ening of said nuts. Slot 31 extends generally in the direction of rotation of the coupling unit, and is of a curvature so that, when the centrifugally responsive means I6 is thrown outwardly, an angular movement will be imparted to intermediate member I4 relative to driving member I 2. It will be understood that slot 3l' may be given a variety of contours depending on the results desired. Connected at to arm I3 of driving member I2 is one end of a pull spring 4I (Figs. l and 3) the opposite end of Which extends between plates 32, 32 and is connected to a pin 42 carried by said plates. Spring 4I is under a predetermined tension when the above described parts are stationary for holding said parts in the positions illustrated, with roller 35 engaging the advance end of slot 37.

Centrifugally responsive means Il are provided for drivably connecting intermediate member I4 to intermediate member I5, said means being the same as but having different operating characteristics than the connecting means i5 between members I2 and I4 heretofore described. As shown, means it' comprises two arcuate plates 43, 43 (Figs. l, 2 and 3) which extend on opposite sides of arms 3l! and 3i of members I4 and I5, respectively, and have riveted to the outside and adjacent one end thereof weights 44, 44. Plates 43, 43 are pivotally connected with the advance end of arm 35 of member I4 by a shouldered pin 45 which is the same in construction as pin 34 and is journalled in a suitable opening 45 (Fig. 5) in said arm. Pin 45 projects beyond opposite sides oi arm 33 through plates 43, 43. and has threaded on its opposite ends retaining nuts 47, said pin serving as spacing means for plates 43, 43 and prevents binding of the latter on arm 30.

The ends of plates 43, 43 adjacent arm 3I of member' I5 are provided with suitable openings to receive the opposite ends of a shouldered pin 48 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which extends through an elongated slot 49 formed in said arm and extending generally in a radial direction from the axis of rotation of the coupling unit. Pin 48 has journalled thereon an anti-friction roller 53 disposed within slot49, and has threaded on its opposite ends plate retaining nuts 5I, 5I, said pin also servingas, spacing meansfor plates `43, 43, and prevents binding of the latter on arm 3i of member i5. Roller 5I) is normally held against the inner end of slot 49 by suitable resident means, such as a pull spring 52 having one end connected at 53 to arm 3i] of member I4. The opposite end of spring 52 extends between plates 43, 43 and is connected to a pin 54 carried by said plates. For purposes to be described hereafter, spring 52 is of a predetermined tension but which is greater than the tension of spring 4 I.

Intermediate member I5 is drivably connected to the driven member I3 by the centrifugally responsive means I8 which is the same as-but different in operation fromboth the connecting means i5 and Il heretofore described. As shown, centrifugally responsive means I8 comprises two arcuate Vplates 55, 55 (Figs. 1 and 2) which extend on opposite sides of arms 29 and `3I of members i3 and I5, respectively, and have riveted toA the outside and adjacent one end thereof weights 55, 55. Plates 55, 55 are pivotally connected to the free end of arm 29 of driven member Iaby a.

shouldered pin 5`I-which-is the same inconstruction as pin 34 and is journalled in a suitable openingv 53 (Fig. 4) in said arm; YPin 51 projects beyond opopsite sides of'arm 29 through plates 55,-

55 and has threaded on its opposite ends retainingandere Y nuts 59, said pin serving .asL spacing means ior plates '5'-, 55 and' prev-'ents binding of' the latter ori arm 29.-

'4I-heI oppositeY end's' oil platesv 55,- 55? which siraddlel arm ilfl o-fintermedi-atei member I5v are providedv withsuitable-A open-ingsto receive the opposite ends of a shouldered pin 50? (Fig. k1) which' extends throughelzori-g-ated` opening I- formed in said arm and extending generally in a radial direction from'- the a-xis of rot-'ation of thecoupling unit.- Pin-IU--has-journal-led ther-ee on an anti-fri'ctioi-II rollerv I2l disposed within slot 61, ain-d has threaded on'- it'sopposite ends plate retaining n-uts- 63?, 6-3'-, said pinalso servi-ng as spacing mea-ns' for' `pla-tes 55, 55:- aIid prevents binding' or said plates on armv 3`-I of member I5.- Roller 6,2 is normally held against the inner endef slot el1 by' resilient ineens,v suer-i as* a'- p'un string s# having one: end connected' at 65- tearr'ri 2-9 of driven member' I3.- Th'e other endofi spring 8dextends-between plates 55, and is connected to: a pin: 66 carried by said plates. For purposes to be Hereinafter described, spring 64- is of a predetermined tension but which is lessthan the tension of' springs- 4-I and 52.

The dri-ven member I-S- is` provided with stop means for purposes tobeA hereinafter described, s'a-id stop means beinginthe form of a bolt 61- whichis adj-ustably threadedin the arm 2qv ofsaid member at the side thereof adjacentthe driving member I2r and is locked in adjustable positions by a lock nut 68.V Bolt el is preferably provided with impact cushioning means'r in the forniof a fibre or rawhide plug 69- s'ecured in the head of said bolt.

The above described various component parts of the coupling may' be benchassembled in eper'ative rela-tion, and mounted on the rotor shaft- I0` as a single coupling unit, said unit being held on said shaft by anut which isthreaded onto the end of shaft I0 and either enga-ges or effectively engages the outer end of the hub 2-2- of driven member I3. 'The inner end of hub 22 engages a shoulder on shaft Ilry or abearing sur; face' on the housing" of mag-neto II'.- In order toinsure free,J angular relative movements 0f mein-- bes I2, I3,- I4 and I5, the d-riv"ng5 member I-2 is designed t'o be capableo'f` having' slight erld-` plaly' on the' hub portion 23' of dri-ven member I3.-

As hereinbeforedescribed,` the tension of spring' 64 associated with the weight means I8 is lighter than. tension of spring 11i5 associatedwith the weight means I6 which, in turn,- islighter than'- the tension of spring' 52 associated with the Weight'- means I1,- thereby controlling the' s'lieeclsv at which links I6', I1- and I8 are individually thrown outward by centrifugal forcesactin'g onsadweight means. With misunderstanding of the' yielding capabilities ofspring's 64, 4I and 52,- the operation of the coupling unit may be described as' follows:

When' the coupling unit is rotatedthe counterclockwise direction, as' viewed in Fig.- 1, at a predetermined low speed, the various parts of' the coupling unit occupy the positions shown in Fig. 1, and the engine is operated at one sparkv setting which in the present instance is anad-'-- vanc'e spark setting1 As' the engi-ne" speed isA iricreased to a predetermined speed the centrifugal forces acting on each' of the' Weight means I6,- I?v and I8` at' said speed' iseffec'tive only on the Weight means I8 and causes the latter to4 pivotcoi-inte-r-clockizvise'l about pivot 51- against the terisioniof spring'- Ill.y The free end of said weight means I8@ thenbeswung' outwardlyas the' SleedI il'idreaSe@A until'- IQIBT 623 Contacts the" outer end of? slot-61. The effect-of the outward movement-of weight means I8` is to shorten thef con-f nection between intermediate member I5 and dri-'ven member I3, thereby causing member I5 to move angularly in acouterec'lOc-kwise direc'-l tion,4 as viewed in Fig. 1, relative to driven"l niember' I3v and shaft- I'0. Sincefduri'ng' thislfuneti-on'- ing of weight means I8'- there is no relative angine-'- lar movement of members I-2 and I5', the driven element I3 and rotor' Shaft I0 are' eiec-tively e-' tarded with respect to driven' member I2, thereby cz'usingl a` retardation in the timing of the sparks the eng-ine cylindersrelative tothe positionsof the pistons in said cylinder-s-` A It-wll be understood that by" properly' design-r ing' the parts abovev described a variety of modes of opera-tion may' be obtained. f the reiative angular' posi-tions? of members I3 and I5 or, the illustrated structure, spark retardation ifs plotted against the angular speed ofl memberl` I2, the contour of the curve obtained may be greatly varied, for example, by changing the contour of slot 6I, by' changing the initial tension or design of spring 64, by changing the connecting poi-nts or other characteristics ofV the severall partsA so that the relationship between the increase in inspring tensionl and the increase in effective centrifugal force,y as weight means I moves` outwardly, is changed-,- or by providing additional springs that-come into pla-y at different positions of weight inea-ns1 A|18 The spark retardation'i or' relative movement obtained may, for ek; ampie, be either gradual or abrupt or it mayA be obtainedin a series of abrupt'l or gradual steps. When the engineV speed is increased to a`- pree-v deter-mined speed which is higherthan that r'e-` quired to eiect outward movement of weightmeans I8 inthe manner described above, the" centrifugal force acting on the weight means I-6- cause's the latter to pivot' clockwise (Fig. 1)v about pivot 34, and' hence, move roller 38 as they speed increases outwardly toward the trailing end of slot 3T in intermediate member I4; This outward movement of roller 38 necessitates angular move-- ment of intermediate member" I4 in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. l) relative to driving member I2 since' pivot 34 is nearer tothe trailing' end of slot 31 than it is to the advance end of said slot. Thus', driven member I3 since it is' drivably connectedA to intermediate member I4f through the: weight means' I1, intermediate member I5', and weight means I8, is caused to move angularly in a counter-clockwise direction (Figil 1)-, or ahead, relative to drivingv member I2 ntil the stop means B1 contacts the adjacent side of driving member I2, thereby effecting setting` of the sparks to full advance position inl the ignition system serve-d` by the magneto' II'. Engagement of stop means 61 with driving member I2 limits`vy the extent of outward' movement of the ceri-A trifugally responsive means I6, and the resultant angular movements of members I4 andi. I3 relative to driving member I2, whereby full advance setting of the sparks is assured. It will be understoodv that any desired advance spark setting may be obtained by adjustingv the stop means'. 61 relati-veto driven` member I 3,- and that the outward movement of the centrif-ugally responsive` means I6l and the resultant advance spark setting may be gradual or relatively abrupt, depending upon the design, connection and arrangement of the parts', and the contour ofthe slot 31,. the same asexplained above in connection with the centrifugally responsivev His I8.

When the engine speed is increased to a predetermined speed which is higher than that required to cause outward movement of weight means I8 and I6 in the manner described above, the centrifugal force acting on the Weight means I'I causes the latter to pivot clockwise (Fig. 1) about pivot 45 against the tension of spring 52. Under these conditions, the free end of weight means I7 will be swung outwardly as the speed increases until the roller 50 contacts the outer end of slot i9 in intermediate member I5. The eiect of this outward movement of weight means I'I is to shorten the connection between intermediate member Id and intermediate member I5, thereby causing members i2 and i4 to move angularly in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l, or ahead, relative to members i3 and I5.- Since driving member I2 is advanced relative to driven member I3 during this functioning of weight means I'I, the driven member l3- and rotor shaft Ivin eiect are retarded with respect to driving member I2, thereby causing a second retardation of the sparks but at a higher engine speed asy distinguished from the rst retardation of the Sparks effected by the centrifugally responsive means I8 at a somewhat lower engine speed. Y

As the angular speed of the parts is reduced to or slightly below the predetermined speeds at which weight means I6, I' and I 8 reach the outward limits of their movements, in the manner above described, springs di, 52 and 64,'respectively, return said lweight means to their normal or illustrated positions, thereby reversing the relative angular movements of the parts and, hence, the movements of the weight means. Thus, an engine may, for example, be operated at an `advanced spark setting for low speeds, at retarded and advanced spark settings for intermediate speeds, and at a retarded spark setting for high speeds, `said spark settings being automatically eiected by the apparatus or" the present invention. v

There is thus' provided novel coupling means for rotatable parts, such as a magneto rotor and drive shaft therefor, whereby relative angular movements of said parts in either direction may be automatically effected during rotation there-v of, and whereby relative angular movements in opposite directions may be effected as the speed of rotation increases. Additionally, said coupling means are so constructed as to effect different relative angular 'movements of the connected parts at predetermined speeds thereof in response to centrifugal forces. The coupling unit provided may be employed in a novel manner to automatically control the spark setting of an ignition system in an innite variety of ways for the purpose of obtaining eicient and economical operation at substantially all speeds. Furthermore, the novel coupling means provided is simple in construction and operation and is also compact and reliable.

Although only one embodiment of the invention is illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that the same is not limited thereto. As 4will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, variouschanges, such as in the design and arrangement of parts illustrated, may be made in the illustrated embodiment of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For a definition of the limits of the invention, reference is had primarily to the appended claims.

What isclaimed is: v l

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotatable driving member, a rotatable driven member, .and means drivably connecting said members whereby the latter rotate together and are adapted for limited angular movement relative to each other, said connecting means comprising two intermediate connecting elements mounted for angular movement relative to said members .about the axis of rotation thereof and centrifugally responsive means operatively connected with said elements and with at least one of said members for eiecting relative angular movements of said members in different directions in response to centrifugal forces acting on said responsive means as the speed of rotation increases. l

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising at least two rotatable members adapted for limited angular movement relative to each other, and means for drivabiy connecting said members including two intermediate connecting elements angularly movable relative to each other and to both said members about a common axis, centrifugally responsive means connected to said elements and to said members and centrifugally responsive means connecting said elements for effecting relative angular movements of said members in different directions and an additional relative angular movement in one of said directions in response to centrifugal forces acting on said responsive means.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a rotatable driving member, a rotatable driven member, and means drivably connecting said members whereby the latter rotate together and are adapted for limited angular movement relative to each other, said connecting means comprising two intermediate elements movable angularly relative to each other and to both of said members, centrifugally responsive means pivotally mounted on said driving member, centrifugally responsive means pivotally mounted on said driven member, other centrifugally responsive means pivotally mounted on one of said intermediate elements, resilient means resisting movement of each of said centrifugally respon# sive means in response to centrifugal forces, and a pin and slot connection between said centrifugally responsive means and said intermediate elements.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising at least two rotatable members adapted for limited angular movement relative to each other,- and means for drivably connecting said members including two intermediate connecting elements angularly movable relative to each other and to both said members, centrifugally responsive means connecting said intermediate members, centrifugally responsive means connecting said driving members and one of said intermediate elements, and other centrifugally responsive means connecting said driven member and the other of said intermediate elements, two of said centrifugally responsive means being adapted to independently effect relative angular movement of said members in one direction in response to centrifugal forces and the other of said centrifugally responsive means being' adapted to effect relative angular movement of said members in the other direction in response to centrifugalforces.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotatable driving member, a driven member mounted for rotation with and angular moves:

ment relative to said driving member, each of said members having a radially extending arm, and means for operatively connecting said members comprising two intermediate elements each having a radially extending arm, said element arms and said member arms all being positioned to rotate in substantially the same path, and oentrifugally responsive means pivotally mounted on each of said `member arms and on one of said element arms and having cam connections with said elements whereby said centrifugally responsive means are effective to eiect relative angular movement of said members in different directions at different speeds of rotation and to effect an additional relative movement of said members in one of said directions at another speed of rotation in response to centrifugal forces acting on said responsive means.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising driving `and driven rotatable members adapted for angular movement relative to each other, two intermediate torcue transmitting elements movable angularly relative to each other and to both of said members, said elements and said members having radially extending portions adapted i to rotate in substantially the same circumferential path, centrifugally responsive means operatively connecting the radially extending portions of said driving member and one of said elements, other centrifugally responsive means operatively connecting the radially extending portions of said driven member and the other of said elements, other centrifugally responsive means connecting the radially extending portions-of both said elements, and resilient means for individually resisting movement of each said centrifugally responsive means whereby the latter become operative at diilerent speeds of rotation of said members to eiect relative angular movements of said members iirst in one direction, then in the opposite direction and thereafter in the iirst-named direction in response to centrifugal forces acting on said centrifugally responsive means as the speed of rotation of said members increases.

7. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotatable driven member having a radially extending arm, a rotatable driving member loosely mounted on said driven member and having .a radially extending arm, two intermediate elements loosely mounted on said driven member and each having a radially extending arm, all said arms being positioned to rotate in a common circumferential path, and means drivably connecting said members and adapted to effect angular movements of one of said members relative to the other of said members at different increasing speeds of rotation of said members, said connecting means comprising centrifugally responsive means pivotally mounted on said driving member and having a pin and slot connection with one of said intermediate elements, centrifugally responsive means pivotally mounted on said last-named element and having a pin and slot connection with the other of said intermediate elements, and centrifugally responsive means pivotally mounted on said driven member and having a pin and slot connection with said other intermediate element.

8. Apparatus of the class described comprising a rotatable driving member, a rotatable driven member, and means for drivably connecting said members while permitting relative angular movement thereof, said connecting means including a plurality of intermediate connecting 10 elements angularly movable relative to each other and to both said members about a common axis and a plurality of centrifugally responsive means operatively connected with said elements and with said members, one said centrifugally responsive means connecting one said member to one said element and being operative to effect relative angular movement of said members in one direction, another said centrifugally responsive means, connecting the other said member to another said element and being operative to effect relative angular movement of said members in the other direction, and another said centrifv ugally responsive means connecting two of said elements and being operative to effect relative angular movement of said members in said one direction, said movements being eliected in sequence as the speed of rotation of said members incr eases.

9. YA coupling for aligned shafts comprising members projecting radially from and fixed to the shafts, a plurality of fulcrum arms interposed between the lmembers, said arms being angularly movable relative to each other and to both said members about a common axis, and pivoted cen-` trifugally responsive links joining each member to an arm and the arms to adjacent arms by connections that alter the angular relations of the members under the influence of the centrifugal forces induced by rotation of the shafts and operating said links. l

10. A coupling for aligned shafts comprising members projecting radially from and fixed to the shafts, a plurality of fulcrum arms interposed between the members, said arms being angularly movable relative to each other and to both said members about a common axis, and pivoted oentrifugally responsive links joining each member to an arm and the arms to adjacent arms by pin and slot connections that alter the angular relations of the members under the influence of the centrifugal forces induced by rotation of the shafts and operating said links, each of said links being responsive to diiierent speeds of rotation than the other of said links. 11. A coupling for aligned shafts comprising members projecting radially from and fixed to the shafts, a plurality of fulcrum arms interposed between the members, said arms being angularly movable relative to each other and to both said members about a common axis, and pivoted centrifugally responsive links joining each member to an arm and the arms to adjacent arms by pin and slot connections that alter the angular relations of the members under the influence of the centrifugal forces induced by rotation of the shafts and successively operating said links, the latter being responsive to different speeds of rotation, one said link being operable at an intermediate speed to reverse the angular setting established by other said links operable at higher and lower speeds.

WALTER J. SPENGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 809,560 Graham et al. Jan. 9, 1906 1,590,772 Moore June 29, 1926 1,916,181 Klaiber June 27, 1933 2,883,726 Quintavalle Sept. 21, 1937 2,391,525 Spengler Dec. 25, 1945 

